For Blue Cross, hay fever is nothing to sneeze at

Chronicle business columnist David Lazarus talks about his Friday column, which centers on Duane Vickrey, a Berkeley resident who received a letter from Blue Cross saying he’d been approved for coverage but that an additional 25 percent surcharge was being tacked on to his monthly cost. The reason: “Hay fever treated with Flonase,” a commonly prescribed nasal spray that relieves irritation and inflammation. Blue Cross’ letter said Vickrey’s hay fever, “either alone or in combination with the cost of medication,” represents “uncertain medical underwriting risks.” Vickrey was flabbergasted.